Child witnesses to domestic violence: A meta-analytic review.

Kitzmann, Katherine M.; Gaylord, Noni K.; Holt, Aimee R.; Kenny, Erin D.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol 71(2), Apr 2003, 339-352. doi:
10.1037/0022-006X.71.2.339
This meta-analysis examined 118 studies of the psychosocial outcomes of children exposed to
interparental violence. Correlational studies showed a significant association between exposure
and child problems (d̄ = -0.29). Group comparison studies showed that witnesses had
significantly worse outcomes relative to nonwitnesses (d̄ = -0.40) and children from verbally
aggressive homes (d̄ = -0.28), but witnesses' outcomes were not significantly different from
those of physically abused children (d̄ = 0.15) or physically abused witnesses (d̄ = 0.13).
Several methodological variables moderated these results. Similar effects were found across a
range of outcomes, with slight evidence for greater risk among preschoolers. Recommendations
for future research are made, taking into account practical and theoretical issues in this area.
(PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

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